Smooth rattlepod

Family: Fabaceae
Scientific name: Crotalaria pallida
Description: Plant Form: Erect annual herb or shrub. Size: Up to 2 m tall. Stem: Upright, covered with short hairs. Leaves: 3 oval-shaped leaflets in triangular arrangement with the central leaflet being longest. Upper surface dark green, lower surface paler and slightly hairy. Flowers: Yellow with winged appearance and prominent reddish streaks. Approximately 5 mm long, along a long spike-like inflorescence of 15-45 cm length. Fruit and Seeds: Cylindrical pods 30-45 cm long, becoming pale-brown when mature. Grooved on one side, with a covering of short erect hairs. Contain mottled light brown seeds which rattle when pod shaken. Habitat: Cropping areas, roadsides, disturbed areas, open forests, grasslands, urban bushland. Distinguishing Features: Generally has lighter coloured pods and broader leaflets than Lance-leaved rattlepod (Crotalaria lanceolata). Has longer pods than Gambia pea (C. goreensis). Weed Status: Other Weed Weed Type: Agricultural, Common Lifeform: Herbaceous

Example images for this weed